Anti-crime intelligence needed to be strengthened and skills development within the intelligence unit should be improved, deputy president Baleka Mbete said on Monday.

Mbete, speaking at the crime summit 2008 in Midrand, commended the department of safety and security for deploying police officers to stations where crime fighting was actually taking place.

A unified multi-stakeholder approach was needed to fight crime in the country, she added.

"I believe that in so doing we will leave no space for the criminals to operate based on their thriving on our differences."

Mbete said public private partnerships needed to bring about practical initiatives and be harmonised.

Referring to the 16 days of activism campaign, she said social crime was still a major challenge.

"In this campaign, we urge men and women to name and shame perpetrators."

Mbete said what appeared as simple and anonymous reporting went a long way to fighting crime, because simple and straightforward approaches were needed.

"This country can be on top of the challenge of crime and our justice system will be continuously revamped in the interest of beefing up our efforts in this regard," Mbete said.

Sapa